The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 196: True Heir

In the quiet corner of the garden, under the ornate gazebo, William sat with an air of relaxed elegance. William swirled the glass filled with golden liquid, the amber tones catching the sunlight. His blond hair, slightly tousled by the gentle breeze, gleamed under the sunlight. Each strand seemed to catch the light differently, creating a halo effect around his head.

Jerrick sat opposite him, donning a somber expression. The golden rays highlighted the tension etched into his features, casting sharp shadows that emphasized his brooding mood. His eyes, usually vibrant with life, seemed clouded with unspoken thoughts, and his lips were set in a firm line.

Jerrick’s posture was rigid, his hands resting on the table with fingers occasionally drumming impatiently. His clothes, neatly pressed and immaculately styled, only added to the starkness of his mood. It was clear that something weighed heavily on his mind, something that required the comfort of a friend’s presence.

"I thought you’d be with the Archduchess, enjoying your togetherness in bed. What brought you here?" William asked in a jovial tone to relax the mood.

"Jessamyn might be responsible for the death of Imogen and my son, William," Jerrick said, the sunlight casting an eerie shadow on his face.

William raised his brows, his reaction measured. Jerrick observed him closely. There was no shock, only a look of disappointment.

"What do you know?" Jerrick asked.

"What were you told?" William countered.

Both of them stared at each other, waiting for the other to speak first.

Jerrick broke the silence. "I was wrong... I framed it wrong. It was not Jessamyn’s responsibility. I am sure she doesn’t know anything."

"About?" William prompted.

Jerrick fell silent once more. "Have you heard of Gemma Luna?"

William’s eyes twinkled with enthusiasm. "How did you hear that? I wanted to talk to you about that!"

"It’s Jessamyn, isn’t it?" Jerrick asked, pouring himself a glass of drink.

William nodded. "It was in an ancient book I borrowed from the Theodulf Library. A prophecy..."

"Was that about the child of Lycaon Wulfhednar and Gemma Luna?" Jerrick asked.

"The true heir of the throne of Altberia."

"Altberia? The prophecy says Altania and Ayberia are going to reunite back to Altberia?" Jerrick asked.

Before they were separated, they were one nation. There was no sight of unification. No one knew there existed a prophecy that foretold the reunification of the kingdoms.

"Then why are they saying Lycaon Wulfhednar will lead Ayberia to victory, eliminate Altania, and only Ayberia will stand?" Jerrick asked.

"There are a lot of variations of the prophecy, is it not? I’ve heard that Lycaon Wulfhednar will unite the kingdoms," William said.

"Which is the true prophecy then?" Jerrick asked, his voice growing more intense. "What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to navigate this web of deceit and destiny?"

The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. The sunlight illuminated Jerrick’s face, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch into the depths of their shared past and uncertain future.

"You’ll find a way... Just like you found a way to rescue your mate when she was dying of datura poisoning, and when the snakes attacked her, just like you rescued her from the leeches and the ants... Just like you protected her always..."

"I rescued her from the mutts once. I could kill them with my growl... And yet, I forgot I could talk to the leeches when I saw her unconscious in my arms," Jerrick said with a smile as he recalled that day. He might be able to smile about it now, but that day, he almost died of heartache.

"What more do you know about Gemma Luna?" Jerrick asked.

William shook his head. "Not much." He was reading more and had a hunch who Gemma Luna truly was, but he was not willing to reveal it to Jerrick yet. Not when Jerrick stupidly thought that Jessamyn might be responsible for his son’s death.

"Why do you think Lady Jessamyn is responsible for Edward’s death?" William asked. He didn’t sense any real hatred in Jerrick’s heart toward Jessamyn but wanted to confirm.

"She hates Imogen..." Jerrick rubbed his neck, looking far away.

"And you think she had her killed along with your son?" William pressed. If Jerrick believed this, there was no way out for him.

"No," Jerrick let out a deep sigh. "Someone might have..."

"Someone? Like?"

"The Council..." Jerrick looked at William. "They want the wedding to happen and... They might want the true heir..." he said, unable to forget Celena’s words.

"Now you think they work in the interests of Ayberia?" William raised his brows.

Jerrick stared at William, sensing a hint of hostility. He understood why. "What do you know?" he asked.

"Nothing..." William looked away and took a gulp of his drink. "Your actions are... You’re scared to admit your love for Jessamyn and yet you married her, and now you have no hesitation accusing her of what happened to your previous wife and son."

"I do not care about Imogen anymore!" Jerrick raised his voice. "And I know Jessamyn is not a killer."

"Oh, but she is... Jessamyn is a killer, given the chance," William leaned forward, observing him. "If you do not care about Imogen, why are you bringing her up? Didn’t you consummate your wedding with Jessamyn? Why is your heart thinking about Imogen now?"

"It’s not about Imogen!" Jerrick repeated. "You don’t know the feeling of holding your dead son in your hands, William," he said, his eyes reddening.

"You’re right," William leaned back. "I do not know. But I do know one thing. You never loved Imogen. Even now, you’re pitying her. You’re feeling guilty about her. You want others to think you’re in love with Imogen and that’s why you leave her portrait all over your castle. You are a hypocrite who ruined Imogen’s life and now that you got Jessamyn, you’re trying to push her away too. You’re a true Theodulf, Jerrick. You cannot be happy."

"Why are you talking about Imogen now?" Jerrick asked letting out a sigh. He didn’t want to answer every accusation of William. He knew his heart.

William let out a sigh and filled his glass. "Now that we are on the topic, tell me why you married Imogen..."

Jerrick glared at William, clearly not wanting to discuss this. He stood up to leave.

"If you’re honest with me, I’ll tell you something only I know about Imogen..." William said.

And that made Jerrick stop in his tracks.

"What do you know?" he asked. "I knew you investigated the fire deeply. Did you find any more details?"

William slowly sipped his drink. "Why did you marry Imogen? I get you refused Jessamyn for whatever reason. But why marry Imogen? It was a stupid decision to make to marry the supposed friend of the woman you rejected. Why?"

William insisted.